Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-14
AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY
Made by Detectives Regarding the Holii-
days Cove Horror.

days Cove Horror.
There is still much public interest in the
shocking tragedy at Holidays Cove, and
yesterday there was general inquiry
for news from the scene of the murder, the
great desire being TO know if any certain
evidence had yet been found fixing the
crime upon Baker. An important discov-
cry of this sort was made yester lay.
Early in the morning Detectives Shore and
ClouSOn, of Pittsburg, while searching the
sitting room, found mans celluloid col
lar, upon which, in front, there were marks
OF blood drops. The collar is a sixteen
inch one, and is similar in all respects to
other collars found in Bakers trunk.
Last evenings Steubenville HcrdH said:
THE detectives are satisfied that BAKER
is the man, and say il is useless to follow
up any other theory. They claim the evil
dence already obtained Is sufficient TO CON
vict i'll any community where circum-
stantial evidence is to I've taken, and
especially would it he strong in Pitts
burg.
when HcrdH reporter lett the Cove at
noon three witnesses had been examined
before the Coroner's jury, but nothing inn
portant was elected. 1t was reported that
Baker would I've brought from New Cum
berland to further testify, but he has en-
ployed J. X. DonehoO Esq, of New Cum
berland, and j. H. Braddock, Esq, of
Wcllsburg, rs his counsel, and on their ad-
vice Sheriff Lindsay refused To give the
prisoner up Even though he should
come, said Mr. Braddock to the Hcrdid re-
porter, we would not allow him 10 say
another word He now stands charged
with murder, and we would certainly ad-
wise him TO keep quiet for the present. y
The COroncr's Jury was still in session
yesterday taking testimony. The most
important fact elected yesterday was in the
evidence given by Thomas Gardner, who
said he saw Mrs. Baker, her husband, and
two other men talking in the orchard
about two o'clock Monday afternoon.
Afterwards hs said he was not sure whether
there was one or two men. He did not
see Mrs. Baker again that day.
The Hrdld, from which we quoted
above, also said:
Ut NtltNllNfS 'LStfI lllS
ing that the lock on Bakers trunk had
been broken of, but that it was unlocked.
Only the top of the trunk had been ran
sacked, and the bottom was untouched.
The detectives laugh ut the idea of bur
glars going halt way through a trunk.
The will of Mrs. McWha was found in u
bureau drawer, but Mrs. Bakers will is
missing. 4 lot Of paper has been burned
i'll the stove, but what papers were de-
| StTOycd is not known. The bonds are
still missing. Wednesday evening while
| the Sheriff and his prisoner were cn route
for New Cumberland, they met party of
farmers boys on the road. Taking them
for party Of lynchcrs, Baker said, For
Gods sake, Sheriff, hide me- The Sher-
| in laughed at his fear, hut Baker insisted
his shacklcs he covered and they were ~
he desired.
4 special TO the REGISTER from New
Cumberland, yesterday, said:
Sheriff X. T.. Lindsey and deputies,
brought Prof Van b. Baker from the
Cove on Wednesday night and placed him
in jail at this place. lie appears 10 be-
cool and collected and asserts his inno-
cruce of the crime for which he was arrest
cl. His attorneys Hon. J. l.. DOnOhoe
and J. X. Braddock, of Wcllsburg, had
consultation with him yesterday. Three
Pittsburg detectives also interviewed him,
the result, ii any, of course, WAS not dl-
vuged. He expressed desire 10 attend
the funeral of the murdered victims yes
terday, but for prudential reasons, the re-
quest was not granted. Mr. Baker attended
Institute and examination at this place
two years ago. In the Institute he was
leading figure, eXemplltying his ability
~ an educator.
The Board of Education engaged him as
Principal Ia take charge of the school in
the interval between examination and the
time for opening the school. 4 strong
feeling of opposition developed against him
among the patrons or rather portion of
them. The Board, however, did moi seem
TO coincide with the OhjectOrs and would
likely have installed him in charge, hut
Mr.. Baker on learning Of the opposition
manifested, resigned. Thus happily ended
what might have caused serious trouble.
lie has waived any preliminary hearing.
Circuit Court meets in the latter part Of
June when the Grand JuIy no doubt will
investigate the case.
Mrs. McWha's maiden name was Swear
ingen, sister Of pice Swearingen, deceased,
who formerly lived in the Cove hill.
The sentiment here against Baker is very
strong aud outspOken, yet there is no sign
of heroic treatment in the case. The Jail
is very insecure, there being but two com
mon sash windows in the walls, without
any iron grating over them, and on the
cages a common paddock. There is some
little talk Of sending him 10 Wheeling. At
this writing the Sheriff had not heard the
result Of the cOrOnOr's inquest.